USA cops receive safer Dodge Chargers

A while back in New York, two police officers were attacked unnoticed and murdered in their patrol vehicles. There has been a push to ensure that cops feel safer while on duty. To this effect, more than 10,000 Dodge Charger Pursuit police sedans across the U.S. are now equipped with the Officer Protection Package thanks to an alliance between FCA US LLC and Intermotive, Inc.

 The Officer Protection Package combines InterMotive’s Surveillance Mode Module™ with FCA’s Fleet Safety Group technology – ParkSense rear park assist system and ParkView rear backup camera – to alert officers when movement at the rear of the vehicle is detected.

Cops are can now immediately see what is behind the vehicle via the camera monitor. At the discretion of the local law enforcement agency, the tripped sensors can also be programed to automatically initiate any or all of the following: a signal for the doors to lock, front windows to roll up, reverse lights to turn on and tail lights to flash, giving the officer a few critical extra seconds to assess and react to the situation.

Dodge SRT offers a complete lineup of performance vehicles that stand out in their own segments. Dodge is America’s mainstream performance brand and SRT is positioned as the ultimate performance halo of the Dodge brand, together creating a complete and balanced performance brand with one vision and one voice.

Tosan Aduayi is a veteran motoring journalist and contributor - tosan@trendyafrica.com

KBB 10 COOLEST NEW CARS UNDER $20k FOR 2018

Kelley Blue Book has named its 10 coolest cars under $20k for 2018. The award recognizes vehicles that offer comfort, style and driving excitement at an affordable price.

1. 2018 Mazda Mazda3

Widely regarded as the best-looking and most fun-to-drive vehicle in its segment, the Mazda3 is the all-time champion of our budget-minded coolest cars list, appearing here for the 15th time.

2. 2018 Honda Civic

Kelley Blue Book's Small Car Best Buy of 2018, the Civic is a well-rounded car offered as a sedan or coupe that's comfortable, roomy, practical, efficient, packed with cool tech, and a blast to drive.

3. 2018 Hyundai Kona

The newest addition to this list is the Kona, Hyundai's new small SUV. The Kona was given a healthy dose of modern style, and the clean, crisp cabin is filled with a bevy of connectivity and advanced safety features.

4. 2018 Volkswagen Golf

Euro-tuned handling and a sporty attitude are only part of what makes the Golf such an appealing car.

5. 2018 Kia Soul

Few vehicles match the Kia Soul's alluring combination of bold style, SUV-like versatility, and practicality, with a roster of standard and available features that add to the Soul's value.

6. 2018 Jeep Renegade

Of all the vehicles on this list, the Renegade is the one that can get you the furthest beyond where the pavement ends.

7. 2018 Subaru Impreza

Already earning extra credit for its standard all-wheel drive, a recent redesign gives the Impreza sedan and hatchback sharper looks, more refinement.

8. 2018 Honda Fit

This diminutive hatchback has a feature called the Magic Seat that gives the interior space and versatility that rivals that of a small SUV.

9. 2018 Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai's Elantra was already established as a high-value car loaded with a wide array of standard features.

10. 2018 Chevrolet Sonic

The Sonic's starting price of $16,170 makes it the most affordable car on this list. But what keeps Chevrolet's subcompact sedan and hatch on our list of coolest cars is its compelling combination of tech, comfort and a fun attitude, all wrapped in redesigned sheetmetal.

Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the founder, Trendy Africa Magazine and Flowtran global blog. He has reported on Motoring with trademark columns; Roadrunner and Carliners. Contact; tosan@trendyafrica.com

Only 300 Jaguar XE Project 8 sedans will be hand built

Engineering fine-tuning on the new Jaguar XE SV Project 8 has almost finished, ahead of production starting in June. Only 300 units will be hand built worldwide. The fastest high performance sedan in the world will hit top speeds of about 322km/h and 0-100km/h acceleration takes just 3.7 seconds. With a 441kW version of Jaguar’s legendary supercharged 5.0-litre V8, Project 8 is the most powerful Jaguar road car to date.

Unlike most high performance production sedans, the four-wheel-drive Project 8 is studded with genuine motor racing technology. This includes, as standard, adjustable ride height, adjustable camber, adjustable front splitter and rear wing, a flat underbody, a differential oil cooler, track-perfect Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres as standard on forged 20-inch wheels and – a production car first – F1-style ceramic wheel bearings.

The front uprights, two-part upper wishbones, balljoints in place of rubber bushes, twin coil springs, dampers, lower suspension bushes, anti-roll bars and latest specification carbon ceramic brakes are all new and bespoke to Project 8. The only carryover body components from the standard XE are the roof and front door skins, both made from aluminium. The vented bonnet and flared front wings and bumpers are made from lightweight carbon fibre.

In its most extreme settings, and in ‘Track’ mode, Project 8 delivers 122kg of downforce at 300km/h – that’s 25 percent more than its nearest rival. And, it is the first Jaguar to offer a Track mode, standard on all versions, which tailors driveline and stability control systems for circuit use by sharpening throttle and steering responses and tuning the dampers to their most aggressive setting.

Two versions of Project 8 are available. The four-seat version contains all the motorsport technology that is the hallmark of Project 8. In addition, there is a more hardcore two-seat Track Pack version that saves 12.2kg in weight and includes carbon fibre racing seats and four-point safety harnesses. In place of the back seat is a solid metal panel and Harness Retention Hoop, which helps boost torsional rigidity by 27 percent over the four-seat version.

Tosan Aduayi is a veteran motoring journalist and contributor - tosan@trendyafrica.com

Range Rover Velar named most beautiful car in the world

The Range Rover Velar has been judged the most beautifully designed vehicle on the planet, winning the World Car Design of the Year title at the 2018 World Car Awards. Bringing glamor, modernity and elegance to the Range Rover family, Velar offers a unique combination of design excellence and engineering integrity.

The distinctive design of the Range Rover Velar features perfectly optimized proportions and a stunning silhouette. Its super-slim Premium LED headlights, flush deployable door handles and sleek Touch Pro Duo infotainment are all hallmarks of Range Rover’s reductionist design philosophy.

Launched last year and named after the codename for the original concept Range Rovers of the late 1960s, the Velar fills the space between the Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport.

In the U.S., three engines are currently offered, including a 247HP 2.0-liter Ingenium turbocharged gasoline engine, 180HP 2.0-liter Ingenium turbocharged diesel engine, and potent 380HP 3.0-liter supercharged V6 gasoline engine.

Designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK, the Velar delivers the practicality, connectivity and capability expected from the Range Rover family. With the latest technology and the inclusion of more sustainable materials, this luxury SUV is designed to go Above and Beyond.

The Range Rover Velar, priced from $49,900 (MSRP) in the US, the vehicle is available to order now at Land Rover retailers.

Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the founder, Trendy Africa Magazine and Flowtran global blog. Contact; tosan@trendyafrica.com